2025-12-02 Minister Boyle Salt Spring Island Housing Letter

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Bowen  Denman  Hornby  Gabriola  Galiano  Gambier  Lasqueti  Mayne  North Pender  Salt Spring  Saturna  South Pender  Thetis 
December 2, 2025 File No. 3070-30  MIN MA 
Via email: HMA.minister@gov.bc.ca  
The Honourable Christine Boyle 
Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs 
PO BOX 9074 
STN PROV GOVT 
Victoria BC, V8W 9E2 
Dear Minister Boyle: 
Re: Salt Spring Island Housing 
On  behalf  of  the Islands Trust Council,  I  am  writing  to express appreciation  for  your recent visit to 
Salt Spring Island and for taking the time to meet with me in my capacity as a local trustee,  as well 
as with governance partners and community members working toward improved housing solutions 
on the island. 
We also  wish to  express  appreciation for  the  opportunity  to  meet  with  representatives  from  your 
ministry at the recent Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention, where we discussed the acute 
housing  pressures  facing  the  islands - particularly  for  year-round  workers,  seniors,  and  younger 
residents.  As  you  witnessed  during  your  visit to  Salt  Spring  Island, high land  values,  limited  rental 
availability, and a lack of diverse housing options are creating significant barriers to affordability and 
community well-being. 
During your visit, you raised thoughtful questions about the data supporting Salt Spring Island’s 
housing needs. This topic was also discussed with your ministry staff at the UBCM convention. As 
mentioned  in  my  June  10,  2025 letter, we  have  found  that  the housing  needs  assessments 
methodology does not always capture the unique circumstances of rural and island communities. 
While  we  acknowledge  that local  trust  committees could  have  taken  additional  steps  to  address 
these gaps, we appreciated you advising that Ministry staff are monitoring local implementation of 
the 2023-24 housing-related legislation and were pleased that our Chief Administrative Officer has 
been introduced to relevant Ministry staff. We  will be taking advantage of the opportunity to provide 
feedback that will help  identify how rural and island-specific housing needs can be more accurately 
reflected in future assessments. 
.../2 
 
 

 
December 2, 2025 
Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs 
Page 2 
 
Once   again,   thank   you   for   your   time,   interest,   and   engagement   with the   Salt   Spring   Island 
community. We  look forward  to  continued  collaboration  with your  ministry  on  addressing  housing 
challenges and improving the data that informs local and provincial policy. 
Yours Sincerely, 
 
 
Laura Patrick 
Islands Trust Council Chair 
lpatrick@islandstrust.bc.ca  
 
Cc: Rob Botterall, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands 
Salt Spring 

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